Exceeds Goal With 2,026 New Controllers Hired

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced that the FAA met and exceeded its goal for hiring air traffic controllers for Fiscal Year 2025 by bringing on 2,026 new controllers. The goal was 2,000 controllers, and the number of new hires represents a 20 percent more hired than the previous administration hired from January to September 2024.

Enhances Safety For Aircraft Without Permanent ADS-B Out

The FAA has proposed the Part 108 UAS Rule for BVLOS or beyond visual line of sight drone operations under 400’ AGL that requires drones to be equipped with ADS-B In and to yield the right-of-way to crewed aircraft transmitting on ADS-B Out.

Service to Drop 6,500 Active Duty Jobs Over Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027

The US Army recently confirmed its plans to thin out its active duty aviation ranks, cutting 6,500 positions as it phases in unmanned systems. The changes are slated to begin in the coming months and continue through fiscal year 2027.

2-Year Candidate Training Began Immediately

NASA introduced 10 astronaut candidates for its class of 2025 on September 22, after a competitive selection process for which 8,000 applications were received from across the U.S. The class immediately began their training for the next two years and then will become fully qualified for flight assignments in space.

Sergei Sikorsky Was a Military Veteran and the Son of Sikorsky Aircraft’s Founder

Sergei Sikorsky, whose father, Igor, founded Sikorsky Aircraft decades ago, passed on September 18 at 100 years old. He spent 41 years building his father’s legacy in the industry, taking Sikorsky’s groundbreaking developments and shaping them into some of the most renowned military helicopters in history.

Enables Layering Of Overflights In Congested Areas

The FAA introduced a new ultra-high airspace in the spring of 2025 covering northern Florida and parts of the Southeast. The move provides more available airspace through the Florida panhandle and Gulf of America.

Milestone Achieved 33 Years After Company Started

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced that tracking of total flight hours across its fleet of unmanned aerial systems, including the recently added YFQ-42 CCA, or Collaborative Combat Aircraft, showed the company set a new record of 9 million flight hours since the company’s inception in 1992.

Also: Douglas Day Event, Tidal Flight And DeltaHawk, Runway Lighting Systems, Supersonic Regs

British Airways suspended one of its pilots who was drunk while traveling as a passenger and caused a disruption in the cabin, with the captain returning to the departure gate at Edinburgh Airport (EDI/EGPH) and delaying the flight to London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) for more than 90 minutes. Textron Aviation announced the rollout of the first production unit of its new Citation Ascend business jet from its manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kansas. The FAA is expected to certify the aircraft later this year. The Citation Ascend is the newest member of the 560XL series of business jets, and employees held a special celebration to note the program m

From 2016 (YouTube Edition): Think You Might Be Interested In Building An Airplane?…

Anyone who is even slightly interested in building their own airplane is aware that thousands of homebuilt airplanes have been built by people who were not experts in airplane building or things mechanical. Even though it is well proven it can be done, it might still be hard to take the first step to start an airplane project. Now, CubCrafters has come out with a way to get you started. ANN’s News Editor, Tom Patton, checked in with CubCrafters’ Director of Global Marketing, John Whitish, while at Sun ‘n Fun 2016 to get some details about

The Tailwheel Began To Shimmy, And The Airplane Drifted Left Of The Centerline...

Analysis: During the landing as the tailwheel touched down on the runway, the tailwheel began to shimmy, and the airplane drifted left of the centerline. The left seat pilot attempted to maintain control, and the right seat pilot twice made minor inputs to maintain the centerline and “lifted the tailwheel” to alleviate the shimmy. When the tailwheel touched down a third time and the airplane’s full weight was placed on the tailwheel, the airplane veered sharply to the left. Full application of the right rudder did not correct the left turn, and the airplane ground looped. 

Aero Linx: Vintage Wings of Canada Vintage Wings of Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization with a collection of historically significant aircraft and is run entirely by volunteers. It is our mission to acquire, restore, maintain and fly classic aircraft significant to the early history of powered flight in Canada, focussing largely on the aircraft of the Second World War. We run education and flying programs with our own aircraft and in concert with the aircraft collection of our founder, Michael Potter. It is our goal to inspire and educate future generations about the historical significance of our aviation heritage and to demonstrate that these aircraft are more than just metal,

Option Approach An approach requested and conducted by a pilot which will result in either a touch-and-go, missed approach, low approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing. Pilots should advise ATC if they decide to remain on the runway, of any delay in their stop and go, delay clearing the runway, or are unable to comply with the instruction(s).

“The Army is transforming aviation to meet future operational demands — faster, leaner, and more capable. This initiative ensures Army aviation is integrated across components, modernized in capability, and optimized for global mission requirements.” Source: Army spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell, explaining why the US Army recently confirmed its plans to thin out its active duty aviation ranks, cutting 6,500 positions as it phases in unmanned systems. The changes are slated to begin in the coming months and continue through fiscal year 2027.